COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Bradley softball team ran out of magic Saturday night. The Braves lost 9-0 in five innings to Nebraska in an elimination game at the NCAA Columbia Regional at Missouri.

No runs. No hits. No more games.

The 19th-ranked Cornhuskers overwhelmed Bradley from the start. Nebraska scored four runs in the first inning and added at least one run in the second, fourth and fifth to enact the eight-run mercy rule.

“Obviously everyone wants to come out and play a close ball game, especially when it’s the last game of their career,” Bradley senior Madeline Lynch-Crumrine said. “We gave it everything we had, and they just came out to play and just hit the crap out the ball. Hats off to them.”

Bradley (27-32) qualified for the national tournament for the second time in program history by winning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament as a No. 4 seed. The Braves overcame deficits in each of their three MVC tournament games. They used a five-run rally with two outs in the seventh inning Friday to push powerhouse Missouri to extra innings.

Nebraska lost 3-1 in an upset to Kansas on Friday in its regional opener. The Cornhuskers (42-16) wrapped up Saturday’s action by beating Kansas 2-1 to reach Sunday’s title game against Missouri.

“The worst thing that could’ve happened to us was Nebraska losing (Friday), because they showed up today to go for it,” Bradley Coach Amy Hayes said.

Nebraska’s Tatum Edwards tossed a no-hitter, striking out three. She allowed three baserunners. Lynch-Crumrine and Mariah Cole drew walks, and Marina Groenewegen reached on an error by Nebraska shortstop Alicia Armstrong. Edwards, a senior, helped the Cornhuskers make a surprise run to the Women’s College World Series last season.

“She pitched today like a pitcher who is not going to be denied,” Hayes said.

Lynch-Crumrine retired the leadoff batter before six straight batters reached in the first inning, and Hayes replaced her ace with Alyson Spinas-Valainis.

Armstrong hit two home runs, and Hailey Decker and MJ Knighten also homered for the Cornhuskers. Nebraska tallied 14 hits, half of which went for extra bases. But the ending didn’t spoil the season, Hayes said.

“This team is really special, and I think they’ve actually created the foundation we need,” Hayes said.